K-State’s Kivett named All-American by Baseball America

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State second baseman Ross Kivett picked up his second All-America designation of the year as he was honored by Baseball America Wednesday.

Kivett, who was named to the third team, also obtained All-America accolades from Collegiate Baseball following the conclusion of the regular season. The 2013 Big 12 Player of the Year, Kivett is the fourth Wildcat since 2009 to earn multiple All-America honors in the last five years as he joins pitchers A.J. Morris (2009) and James Allen (2011), and outfielder Nick Martini (2010).

A product of Broadview Heights, Ohio, Kivett finished his junior campaign hitting .360 with 15 doubles, four triples, three home runs and 39 RBI. He helped lead K-State to its first conference championship in 80 years as he ranked second in the Big 12 with a .376 average against league foes. He also went 6-for-12 with two home runs and five RBI to earn MVP honors in the NCAA Manhattan Regional, leading the Wildcats to their first regional title.

Kivett’s season numbers rank highly in Kansas State history as he set the school records for games played (64), starts (64) and at-bats (261). He also placed in the top 10 in singles (second; 72), hits (third; 94) and steals (seventh; 26). A 10th-round draft pick by the Cleveland Indians, Kivett finished the season in the top-10 of nine offensive categories in the Big 12, including top marks in hits and runs scored (57), and second-place rankings in steals and total bases (126).

Kansas State finished the 2013 season at 45-19 to set the school record for wins, while they captured their first conference championship since 1933 by going 16-8 in Big 12 play. The Wildcats were selected to host their first-ever NCAA Regional and defeated Wichita State, No. 30 Bryant and No. 12 Arkansas to registered their first Super Regional appearance.

Led by Kivett, Kansas State placed seven players on the All-Big 12 First Team, including Big 12 Freshman of the Year Jake Matthys and Co-Scholar Athlete of the Year Jared King. Additionally, head coach Brad Hill earned his second Big 12 Coach of the Year designation as Kansas State became the first school in conference history to have its football, men’s basketball and baseball coaches pick up coach-of-the-year honors in the same academic year.